FAQs @ the Pub

Although all Mall level and WestIL.net accounts include "server based" anti-virus (AV)protection, we still recommend everyone have "PC based" AV software and optionally some rudimentary firewall protection as well.

For Anti-Virus software you my choose:

• NEW Microsoft Security Essentials FREE for Licensed Windows Users
  Pretty much this should take care of 99% of the folks we service now
  
  otherwise other choices are:
• NEW COMODO Anti Virus (FREE 4 ALL including Business)
• Avast! - www.asw.cz ($ Pro or FREE home user edition)
• Symantec Norton AV - www.Symantec.com ($)
• McAffee AV - www.McAffee.com ($)
• Computer Associates - www.ca.com ($)
• AGV Anti Virus - www.Free.Grisoft.com  (FREE home or $ Pro edition)

All include virus definition updating service to keep you protected.

Most listed above also have free Web based  Anti-Virus scans to check your current condition before you attempt installing a new AV software product.

New Microsoft XP service pack 2, Vista, Windows 7...includes firewall protection capabilities however if you find your Windows 7 is does not pop enough security warning windows to suit you Vista withdrawal needs then:

• ZoneAlarm by www.ZoneLabs.com

...makes a very nice FREE version if you want more controls/alerts

• NEW  COMODO Anti Virus has firewall options built in and is equally over verbosely protecting at every turn.

If you are really concerned about closing ports and firewalling folks out then consider the appropriate level router for your location. A hardware based router, properly configured, will protect one or all PCs within your network group much more efficiently and effectively. If your needs are enterprise based, boy can we refer you to one very fine solution from our network provider here. It tames the public school system. Know that will tame any employee base gone wild. Just ask.

Of course our WestIL.net WISP folks run on a superior firewall system compared to most other ISPs. With all the hackers in the outside world locked out from navigating into your PC. Pretty much you are only concerned with the local population (who have more of a life then that) and virus threats. When you can't run "services" then those vulnerabilities you must police are much reduced. Add the afore mentioned solutions for one tight solution. And if any of our people get a bug, download limewire, etc, we know and then know, which keeps things fast and shuts down threats very effectively. Most don't enjoy that multi-level approach so use what you can above if need be.

I should say for the truly paranoid, a LinkSYS© WRT54GL (mind the L=Linux and not your big box store ware) plus tomato firmware will tell you a world about home traffic usage. Put the 3CSyslog© daemon on a PC and you can monitor far more then you eyeballs can keep up with on in/out traffic, bandwidth use, attached devices, etc. Maybe a little too big brother for most, certainly more data then anyone can absorb. Is kind of cool when I found out I could be big enough that Skype® used me for a VoIP server one day (read the fine print in the license) but as big a Skype® fan and user as I am, they deserve to get more for $3 a month!

So anti virus is just part of PC security. A critical and must have step #1. Layers from there to keep hackers at bay and home/office policed range from common sense and family discussions to crazy tech solutions like this. Paranoid dilutions always optional.